2006
Paso Robles
California
The Guy and I attended a Holiday wine, beer and food pairing event with my boss and his wife at the same place I wrote about in my October post below.
We had many pairings, but the wine we loved the most was the very smooth and distinct Justin Vineyards Cabernet. Ironically, it was a wine used to show that none of the foods served went well with it. But it was awesome on its own. I served it pre-food on Thanksgiving and it was a hit (the Justin cab is shown here on the right - Ommegang Ale is on the left.)
FYI - out of the two beers we tried, Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA and Ommegang Abbey Ale, it was the Ommegang we brought home ($5.99 / pint). This Belgian-style sweet brew accompanied hard pretzels and spicy Chipotle Honey Mustard nicely. It also accompanied our sausage and buffalo mozzarella pizza well too.
We had a Gewurztraminer, a Crus Beaujolais, a Muscat, a Port, and a Rose Brut as well. Each was paired with various food items including whole grain bread and salami with rosemary infused olive oil, bruschetta, pears and bleu cheese (which the Muscat was awesome with - Bealieu Vineyards - $8.99), brie and cranberry, and dark mexican chocolate (paired well with Fonseca 10-year Tawny Port - $32.99). But the Cabernet was where it was at for me. I couldn't get it's flavor and scent off my mind. I knew as soon as I put it to my nose that I was going to enjoy it. And, after all pairings were complete, it was what I asked to have a refill of to end my night. It was very smooth, slightly sweet with vanilla and spice but nicely balanced with herbal, mushroom flavors.
Not exactly a budget wine at $25 a bottle, but nice for special occasions.
8.5 out of 10
14.5% alc. by vol.
$25 / 750 ml. bottle
JUSTINwine.com
